African hawk eagles, also known as African hawk-eagles, are known for their dedication to their eggs and young. The female does most of the incubation, with the male relieving her for short periods and bringing her prey. However, there are instances where eggs may be abandoned, usually due to non-viable eggs or when the parents realize the eggs will not hatch.
Reasons for Egg Abandonment
Insufficient Egg Turning
Proper egg turning is essential during the incubation period. Raptors, including African hawk eagles, are highly attentive and consistent incubators, but various circumstances can interrupt their faithful egg turning. If the eggs are not turned properly, the capillaries in the yolk sac membrane may not develop evenly, preventing sufficient nutrients from being transferred to the developing embryo. This can lead to hatching failure and soft eggshells that may break during the incubation period.
Contaminants
Contaminants, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons used as pesticides, can also affect egg production and embryo development in African hawk eagles. DDT, for example, breaks down into the metabolite DDE, which prevents the metabolism of calcium essential for eggshell production in female birds. This can result in thin eggshells that may break during the incubation period, reducing the amount of calcium supplied to the embryo as its bones grow and impairing gas and water vapor exchange through the shell. DDE may even kill the embryo outright.
Hatching Failure
If the eggs are not viable and the parents realize they will not hatch, they may abandon the nest. This can happen for various reasons, such as insufficient egg turning or contaminant exposure, leading to the death of the embryo before hatching.
Dedication to Eggs and Young
Image source: African hawk-eagle by Charles J. Sharp
Despite these instances of egg abandonment, African hawk eagles are generally known for their dedication to their eggs and young. The female does most of the incubation, with the male relieving her for short periods and bringing her prey. This attentive care is crucial for the successful hatching and rearing of their offspring.
Conclusion
While African hawk eagles do not typically abandon their eggs without reason, there are instances where eggs may be left unattended or become non-viable due to various factors, such as insufficient egg turning, contaminants, and hatching failure. However, these instances are relatively rare, and African hawk eagles are generally dedicated parents to their eggs and young.
References:
– Reddit post on eagle returning to nest to find eggs abandoned
– The Peregrine Fund’s page on African Hawk Eagles
– Article on egg abandonment in birds
